Microsoft, Immersion Corp. Collaborate To Advance Feel-Simulation Technologies

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, August 16, 1999

Microsoft Corp. and Immersion Corp. have agreed to share access to each other's "feel-simulation" technology, also known as "force feedback," which allows gamers to physically engage with game environments. The two companies say they are working to standardize feel-simulation capabilities in the PC game and game device industry by offering developers a broader platform for creating and testing force-feedback-enabled products.

Whether a game player is landing a fighter plane on the deck of an aircraft carrier or driving across gravel and railroad tracks, the ability to feel information presented by the software adds physical realism to the gaming experience. "Gamers have enthusiastically embraced force feedback," says Brett Schnepf, developer relations manager for Microsoft. "Moving forward, we expect to see the popularity of force feedback increase as it becomes easier for game developers to incorporate the technology."

"As a technology licensing company, Immersion is pleased to work with Microsoft in the force-feedback game device arena," adds Louis Rosenberg, Immersion's president. "We expect our collaborations to bolster force feedback in the gaming industry by promoting consistency and compatibility."

Immersion's patented I-FORCE technology, licensed to more than 20 companies, provides gaming peripherals such as joysticks and steering wheels with advanced feel-simulation capabilities.